Govt launches `Cruise Bharat Mission’ to boost cruise tourism in India

The central government has added ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ to the long list of mission mode schemes that aim at revitalising various sectors of the economy.

Union minister for ports, shipping, and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Monday launched the `Cruise Bharat Mission’ from cruise ship `Empress’ at the Mumbai harbour.

Under the mission, government plans to revamp cruise tourism industry in India in a way that would help promote the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the country.

The mission aims at doubling cruise calls and the number of cruise tourists arriving in India over the next five years, ie, by the year 2029.

The mission, to be implemented in three phases between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2029, will focus on developing ocean and harbour based cruise as well as river and island cruise circuits.

Phase 1, to be implemented between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025, will be used for conducting studies, making comprehensive plans, and forming cruise alliances with neighbouring countries. It will also focus on developing existing cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations.

Phase 2 (1 October 2025 to 31 March 2027) will see the development of new cruise terminals, marinas, and new tourist destinations with high potential.

Phase 3 (1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029) will focus on integration of cruise circuits across the region, marking the development of a mature cruise ecosystem, while also continuing the development of cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations.

Cruise Bharat Mission aims at doubling the number cruise calls in the country from 254 in 2024 to 500 by 2030 and 1,100 by 2047 with the number of tourists rising from 4.6 lakh in 2024 to 5 million by 2047.

The revamped cruise industry will utilise both the vast oceans and inland waterways to boost the tourism sector, helping to create 4 lakh new jobs, Sonowal said.

With more than 5,000 km of operational waterways Cruise Bharat Mission hopes to attract over 1.5 million river cruise passengers.

The mission aims at making India a global hub for cruise tourism through development of critical infrastructure and the use of sustainable resources. The development of world class infrastructure will also facilitate growth of maritime trade

The mission will be implemented with active involvement of all regulatory agencies such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police, Sonowal said.